Home

Get Area Board Issue

Submitted

21/01/2018 23:04:56

Reference No

6036

Issue Summary

Feedback on the CalneCalne Without Neighbourhood Plan

Latest Update

CATG Action / Recommendation

Issue

Current and Future Traffic Congestion. Ive eagerly read the Neighbourhood Plan for Calne and Calne Without and note considerable and warranted mention of issues resulting from the congestion tailing back from the narrow section of road leading to the Curzon StNew Road roundabout many residents commented on very long queues stretching back to Wood St and Oxford Rd including a couple of very representative photographs of the congestion. I recall writing to the Gazette and Herald several years ago now regarding this issue proposing that the currently pedestrianized High Street be reopened to traffic and the Council stating that they would be getting in highway experts from Wiltshire Council to investigate the issue. Sadly I cannot see anything in the Neighbourhood Plan regarding how this very significant issue not only for residents but also for businesses who are suffering as a direct result of people avoiding the town centre owing to unacceptable and stressful delays which can only but increase as the result of any additional property development is to be overcome. Since this document is referred to as a Plan which is defined as a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something and considering the evident significance of this issue I expected to find at the very least detailed options together with a way forward if not a final decision. The fact that the solution to this specific issue i.e. reopening the High Street to traffic on a one way basis and with any other requisite traffic control measures. is seemingly obvious to everyone apart from the Councils makes it all the more frustrating.The other significant issue is the new Low Lane residential development. I understand that from a Calne Town Council perspective the matter was recently discussed at the Town Development and Planning Committee and that there are likely to changes to traffic flow and volume if the HGV link road is approved across the Hills Waste site and the creation of the link road for the Low Lane residential development will allow a second access into the new and existing development off Prince Charles Drive and potential regeneration of the vacant Town Centre land off The Pippin.Whilst I accept what is being claimed regarding the HGV link road this will have only a minor albeit welcome impact on the aforementioned congestion which is mostly cars vans delivery vehicles and buses. This congestion can only increase with the Low Lane residential development unless the link road became a by-pass usable by all traffic which Im sure would be welcomed by the majority of people living in Calne. Taking into account the already disproportionately heavy usage of Abberd WayPrince Charles Drive especially at rush hour and school times taking into account Priestley Primary School there needs to be changes to the existing and additional measures to ensure safe passage and traffic flow along this road in preparation for increased traffic flow which will inevitably result from the Low Lane residential development. As you will be aware Abberd WayPrince Charles Drive already has some traffic calming measures although the efficacy of at least one is questionable. I strongly feel that parking along Abberd WayPrince Charles Drive especially at school times and early morningsevenings will cause significant queues delays and safety issues along Abberd WayPrince Charles Drive which could potentially also impact the Oxford Road. The section of this road in the proximity of Priestley Primary School is somewhat narrow bendy on an incline and particularly heavily congested with parked cars at school times. I seriously believe as someone who regularly uses this road and a local driving instructor that additional parking restrictions i.e. single and double yellow lines along with maybe and where possible measures such as road widening parking lay-bysextended school drop off areas or provision and pedestrian crossings will be required along Abberd WayPrince Charles Drive. Taking into account in at least my opinion the importance of these issue in relation to matters including but not limited to planning applications I will be voting against Wiltshire Council using the Neighbourhood Plan for Calne and Calne Without to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area.

The former affects pretty much the entire population of Calne local businesses and many who have a wish or need to visit especially Calne town centre.The latter will impact residents of and visitors to Prince Charles Drive Abberd Way and side roads plus the Low Lane residential development especially the part of it closer to Prince Charles DriveAbberd Way together with anyone visiting attending or working at Priestley Primary School.

What has been done so far

I wrote to the Gazette and Herald who covered the story and advised that Wiltshire Council traffic experts were being called in to address the issue. I have also written to Calne Town Council and Cllr Tom Rounds.

What would resolve issue

See What is the issue above.

Who needs to come together

Calne Town Council, Wiltshire Council, the developers of the Low Lane Residential site and Hill's Waste.